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Mary Young’s intimates line is all about celebrating your natural shape, and challenging the narrative of what lingerie should be.
Mary Young is the founder, designer and CEO of her namesake lifestyle, intimates and apparel brand, a company that is on a mission to ignite and inspire moments of self love and acceptance. Launched 7 years ago, as an extension of a university thesis, Mary started the business at the age of 23. The label offers an alternative to overtly sexual lingerie, focusing instead on celebrating natural shape and body confidence. Proudly made in Canada, Mary Young has expanded the product line to include a digital platform, The Self Love Club, an online community that celebrates inclusivity, diversity and honest conversation.
To me, community isn’t as inclusive as it once was. I really want to break down those walls of what community is with our Self Love Club. I know that by definition ‘club’ usually has some sort of membership process or you have to know some secret code to get in. Our club is just about you and your attitude. If you’re challenging the narrative we’ve all been raised to believe, and opening up conversation around acceptance in your daily life and your circle, then you’re part of the club. We really want to make sure that what we’re doing with the Self Love Club and even our products, is just to encourage people to not feel so alone, and just feel seen, heard and valued.
I think the best advice I would give myself is to remember that this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. And try not to cross all these bridges of success so early, or compare to these ‘overnight successes’ that truly are not overnight successes. They’ve usually been around for years and finally blew up because of one thing. I think we forget about how long life is and how long a journey can be, and you don’t need to cross the finish line in year two. It’s a marathon and you need to pace yourself. You can only do so much, and it’s okay to grow at the rate you are comfortable maintaining.
I mean, the list goes on, I could flip through a book of failures that happened even this week. There’s always a solution. It may not be clear at first, but trust your instincts and your gut and just stay open to finding a solution, because there’s always something that can be done.
The biggest risk I’ve taken is starting at the age of 23 with no experience in running anything, or even working for a business full-time. I graduated from university in April of 2014 and we launched the business in September of 2014. Being young and naive and full of energy is really, really great!
There’s definitely a pull to wanting a more stable life, because the difference of day to day working for yourself can be a lot, because it’s constantly changing. I don’t think everyone is designed to be an entrepreneur and I don’t recommend this to everyone. It takes a lot of sacrifice. When you’re an entrepreneur you really do have to decide what’s worth it and sometimes it’s not worth it, and that’s totally okay. I don’t think everyone needs to be on the same path.
The most rewarding aspect is really connecting with the community. So whether it’s hearing how people respond to the Self Love Club, meeting the different guests that we have, whether it’s writers or muses, and seeing their impact on our community. Then even hearing from customers that are so excited to try our product that have never bought lingerie as an act of self-love, or something that was solely for them vs. thinking of other people. That to me is really the reason why we keep doing what we’re doing, and why I sometimes don’t get enough sleep!
One place more recently, would be from sneakers. Just the designs and colour-ways in sneakers. I’m a big sneaker-head! We even have a colour for our spring summer 22 collection that is inspired by a Jordan 1 that was released this fall. One of the colours in the sneaker, just the way it looked and felt in the footwear I thought would translate very well. I think sneakers have a very similar thought process to intimates in a very unexpected way. It’s something you wear every day and intimates are also something you wear every day, and it says a lot about you and your personality and how you feel about yourself. I think when you wear intimates that make you feel confident and comfortable and empowered, you carry that energy throughout the day.
I think for me it’s seeing every brand doing this, not just sort of as a ‘what’s happening now, so we have to jump in’. Even Victoria’s Secret has started using different models, and I understand the importance, but to me it doesn’t feel pure or for the right reasons. I want this to become so normative that it’s not just about checking off that diversity box, or checking off ‘we’re in touch with what people want right now’. It’s just, this is how it should be. When you get up and look around you, this is who you see, so this should show in all marketing platforms. Especially in the fashion industry, we don’t need to be segmenting people into different categories, but rather, this is our world and our community, and we need to recognize that in how we sell to our community.
A close friend but also a super genuine soul. Kyle has been growing Bather for the last 8 years and it has become an incredible brand. He hasn't lost his sense of joy, humility and kind heart through the entrepreneurial journey.
A close friend but also a super genuine soul. Kyle has been growing Bather for the last 8 years and it has become an incredible brand. He hasn't lost his sense of joy, humility and kind heart through the entrepreneurial journey.
A very inspiring creative who started her journey as a part owner in a retail store and recently launched Laundry Day, a brand that offers conceptual pipes that double as home decor in the most beautiful hues. Full of life and joy, Victoria is a radiant soul everyone should get to know!
A very inspiring creative who started her journey as a part owner in a retail store and recently launched Laundry Day, a brand that offers conceptual pipes that double as home decor in the most beautiful hues. Full of life and joy, Victoria is a radiant soul everyone should get to know!
I'm a huge fan of her podcast and her approach to health. She is so open with her personal journey and struggles that allows others to feel less alone on their health journey.
I'm a huge fan of her podcast and her approach to health. She is so open with her personal journey and struggles that allows others to feel less alone on their health journey.
An artist, a mom of two, and all around beautiful soul. Her work challenges narratives and brings to life some of our own inner thoughts. Her use of multimedia and techniques is super inspiring and would be a great addition to any home.
An artist, a mom of two, and all around beautiful soul. Her work challenges narratives and brings to life some of our own inner thoughts. Her use of multimedia and techniques is super inspiring and would be a great addition to any home.